Programme description THRUST
Energy and propulsion are much needed systems in the world for most modern human activities and social development for a sustainable society.
The Erasmus Mundus programme in Aeromechanics (THRUST) is a cooperation between KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) in Sweden, Duke University in the USA, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and Université de Liège in Belgium. It is a two-year Master's programme including compulsory mobility for the students.
The THRUST programme offers education of high international standard as well as cultural experience from at least two different countries and a double degree from two universities. The knowledge from the foremost specialists in the field is made available using advanced teaching and learning methods. Given the nature of the subject of aeromechanics, multidisciplinary skills are fostered. Students from any country are welcome to apply.
Programme Description
Energy and propulsion are much needed systems in the world for most modern human activities and social development for a sustainable society. Turbomachines produce more than 90% of all electricity in the world, drive the majority of aircrafts and are used extensively as compressors, pumps, etc. in many modern applications (e.g. refrigerators, ventilators, etc).
Aeromechanics is one of the main limitations for more efficient, lighter, cheaper and reliable turbomachines, be it jet engines, steam turbines, gas turbines, wind turbines or hydro turbines, as well as various kind of compressors. The THURST programme aims to educate students with high skills to face the challenges within aeromechanics.
Programme Outline
The programme is highly integrated, first of all regarding student and teacher mobility for certain common lectures, but also related to the extended use of remote teaching by the specialist teachers at all four universities, in conjunction with “face-to-face” and “virtual” interactive workshops and project courses. The educational programme THRUST offers a unique, modern and highly interactive learning material which enhances the student learning process. This, together with the “remote learning” aspects, will also allow for a substantial potential for already active industrial persons to participate in the programme as part of the life-long learning inside their respective companies.
Programme Curriculum
The first two semesters provide an advanced introduction to aeromechanics in turbomachines at one university (KTH). Expection to this will apply to one of the mobility options. In the third semester the students specialize in one of the three options:
1) Unsteady Aerodynamics (Duke University, USA)
2) Structural Vibration and Fatigue (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)
3) Aeromechanical & Material Design (Université de Liège, Belgium)
In the final year the students will perform the MSc thesis project, either at one of the academic institutions or at one of the industrial partners involved in the programme. The thesis topics will cover different aspects within the field of turbomachinery aeromechanics. Teaching language throughout the entire programme is English.
The students have different mobility options according to their specialization choice.
Career Prospects
The THRUST programme offers the students a worldwide unique education at a high academic level, involving researchers/teachers at three European and one US top universities in the area and prepares the students for a direct industrial engagement. Furthermore it paves the way for continued PhD studies in this field.
Programme Organization
The program is led by a coordinator team at KTH. The coordinator team reports back to a steering committee composed of representatives from all parties involved in the programme, both from academia as well as industry.
